Wetlands are lands transitional between terrestrial and aquatic system where the water table is usually near the water surface and land is covered by shallow water.

Essential as: control floods, water treatment, recharging of water sources, reduce sediments, check soil erosion, bulwark against encroachment by the sea, winter resort for birds and important for flora and fauna. They also provide a variety of resources

A programme on conservation of wetlands was initiated in 1987 with the basic objective of identification of wetlands of national importance, assessment of wetland resources, promotion of R&D activities and formulation and implementation of management action plans

A steering committee in each state headed by the Chief Secretary consists of members from all departments related to the wetland conservation in the state. Successful model.

India is a member of the Standing Committee of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, 1971

Steps forward

Make use of the traditional knowledge of the people living near the wetlands for its conservation along with the engineering solutions

Monitor the impact of implementation of management action plans

Wetlands of India under Ramsar Convention

Name

State

Remark

1. Ashtamudi WL

Kerala

2. Bhitarkanika Mangroves

Orissa

3. Bhoj WL

MP

4. Chilka Lake

Orissa

2nd largest in India: 116500 ha

5. Deepor Beel

Assam

6. East Calcutta WL

WB

7. Harike Lake

Punjab

8. Kanjli

Punjab

9. Keoladeo National Park

Rajasthan

10. Kolleru Lake

AP

11. Loktak Lake

Manipur

12. Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary

TN

13. Pong Dam Lake

HP

14. Ropar

Punjab

15. Sambhar Lake

Rajasthan

16. Sasthamkotta Lake

Kerala

17. Tsomoriri

J&K

18. Vembanad-Kol WL

Kerala

Largest in India: 151250 ha

19. Wular Lake

J&K

20. Chandratal

HP

2nd Smallest: 49 ha

21. Renuka

HP

Smallest: 20 ha

22. Rudrasagar

Tripura

23. Upper Ganga

UP

Total area of these 26 wetlands: 677131 ha

24. Hokarsar (Hokera)

J&K

Kerala has the highest area under wetlands

25. Surinsar & Mansar

J&K

J&K has the largest number of wetlands (4)

26. Gharana (2010)

J&K

The Montreux Record. Sites on the List of Wetlands of International Importance which are considered to have undergone, to be undergoing, or to be likely to undergo change in their ecological character brought about by human action may be placed on the Montreux Record and may benefit from the application of the Ramsar Advisory Mission and other forms of technical assistance.

Keoladeo national park and Loktak lake from India are included in the list

Changwon Declaration

The primary purpose of the “Changwon Declaration on human well-being and wetlands”,adopted by Resolution X.3 of the recent meeting of the Conference of the Parties, “is to transmit key messages concerning wetland-related issues to the many stakeholders and decision-makers beyond the Ramsar community who are relevant to the conservation and wise use of wetlands, to inform their actions and decision-making”

APPSC GROUP 1 Notes brings Prelims and Mains programs for APPSC GROUP 1 Prelims and APPSC GROUP 1 Mains Exam preparation. Various Programs initiated by APPSC GROUP 1 Notes are as follows:-